New Bedford fires give police, firefighters cause for concern

NEW BEDFORD — In the same week that arsonists torched a shed and four vans in Dartmouth, New Bedford police are investigating a string of suspicious nighttime fires.

BRIAN FRAGA

NEW BEDFORD — In the same week that arsonists torched a shed and four vans in Dartmouth, New Bedford police are investigating a string of suspicious nighttime fires.

Seven garbage barrels were set on fire late Tuesday and early Wednesday on Pope, Maxfield and Liberty streets, said New Bedford police spokesman Lt. Jeffrey P. Silva.

Just before 2:30 a.m. Friday, New Bedford police and firefighters responded to the area of Emerson and Kempton streets. The vinyl siding of 189 Emerson St. had caught fire from a recycling bin on the street that someone torched, police said.

Firefighters also found a folding chair on the house's front porch that had also been intentionally set on fire, Lt. Silva said.

"The fact that this is occurring is very concerning to us," Lt. Silva said. "It's a childlike prank where the circumstances are anything other than childlike."

Police have not said if the New Bedford and Dartmouth fires are connected, but the fires in Dartmouth occurred the same evening as the garbage barrel fires in New Bedford.

The shed fire on McCabe Street in Dartmouth was reported at 1:13 a.m. Wednesday. Ten minutes later, Dartmouth police received a call that four vans were destroyed at Little People's College at 52 Donald St.

The Maxfield and Liberty street fires were set around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Around 2:20 a.m., an hour after the Little People's College fire, New Bedford police and firefighters received a report of torched garbage containers on Pope Street.

Lt. Silva said the time of night when the fires are set is especially concerning.

"At that time, there are no witnesses. A house catches on fire and by the time the smoking alarm goes off, it can already be engulfed in flames. It's a big deal.

"Our patrol officers and detective are working proactively in identifying the individuals responsible," Lt. Silva said.